The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-17
BERNHAMER BREAKS DOWN.
He Is Suddenly Frustrated While on the Wit
ness Stand and Is in Dangerous Condition.

The sensational developments in the Miller
Bernhamer guardianship case reached climax
yesterday afternoon, at o'clock. when Bern
hamer was Frustrated while on the witness
stand. He went on the stand in his OWE de-
Tense early in the morning, and soon afterward
the courtroom was crowded. The afternoon
crowd was even larger than that of the fore
noon, and standing room at a pre-
MUM. During the examination the
witness at times seemed exhausted.
He was pale and careworn, and several
times remarked to his attorney, Mr.. Walls. that
he di d not believe he could get through with the
examination. The cross-ex amin alton was begun
soon after noon, by John Duncan, and as it was
very rigid. Bernhamer soon showed that he was
not altogether himself This was noticed several
times by his requesting the court reporter to
repeat the question. and by placing his hand to
his head as if feeling dizziness. During his
examination he had testified that one
occasion he had refused to let Miss Anna
Miller have some money, and that because of
the refusal she made threats to ruin him. He
had, he said, gone to see Captain Colbert with
regard TO the threats with the intention OF hav-
ing some action taken in the matter by the
police. The moment before he was Frustrated
Mr.. Duncan had taken up this branch of the
testimony You went to talk to Captain Col
bert, old friend of yours, to have him arrest
that young lady, whom you had known from
infancy did you" asked Mr. Duncan.
II did" was the reply.
''You went and counseled with Captain Col
bert about that matter2' was the next and last
question asked. Before it was hardly finished
Bernhamer threw his hand to his head. and with
a gasp fell back in his chair apparently lifeless.
The prostration was so sudden that the attor-
neys and witnesses were shocked for an in
slant that no one offered him any assistance.
Judge Ayres however, dispatched a messenger
for physician, while the witness
was carried to the judges private room.
When he laid upon the sofa in
the judges apartments he seemed entirely life
less. DIR. Haggart the first physician found
and was sent up. When he arrived he said there
that the trouble evidently heart disease.
Restoratives were applied, and in ten minutes
he recovered to be able to speak family.
DIR. Van Vorhis came in and it his opinion
that there had been q rupture of blood yes
sci in the head, and pronounced the
condition of the man very critical AS
soon as an ambulance could be called he
removed to his home. There was apparently no
improvement in his condition when he reached
bring him to consciousness. Later in the even
ing he showed signs of Improvement, but at
late hour last night was semi-unconscious, and
his condition regarded as somewhat critical.
The physicians unable to agree uDon
the cause of the prostration. but
think it was brought on by the excitement under
which he has been laboring since the beginning
of the trial.
The trial was not resumed after the prostra-
ton, and last evening Judge Ayres, upon the
ad vice of the physicians attending Bernhamer,
continued the until Monday. The prostra-
ton caused great deal OF excitement about the
courthouse